This is my entry for the #monomad challenge.
Its been ages since I've said that!
But yes, this is a long overdue post to the Black and White (monomad) community
My partner has come home from University for Christmas, and has another couple of weeks before she heads back to resume her studies. As part of her Wildlife Media course though, she has some projects to be getting on with, and that meant she needed to head out to the local nature reserve at Whisby to get some images.
And as it was a Saturday, I had a day off, and decided to pop along too!
Whisby is only a few miles down the road, and we've visited it regularly (regular readers will know I even ran down here a couple of weeks ago.
Its been awhile since I've used a proper DSLR camera, and today was an opportunity to dust mine off and give it a rare outing!
It is fair to say that I've been feeling a little uninspired with photography recently...
As part of her Wildlife Media course, the university has given all the students a film camera each over the Christmas break in order to practice and get some images for their projects. The film in that camera was a black and white one, and so I was inspired to shoot in just Black and White myself
I did shoot heses all in RAW by the way, which means that even though I was using a 'monochrome' filter on it, each image file retains the full colours available. Once I import them into lightroom, I am then able to edit them back to black and white, and as they are are RAW files I have plenty of options available to edit as much as I need
It was a dull grey day, so it was hard work to find interest shots, but I'm reasonably happy with my selection here... the above features a Cormorant holding out its wings so they can dry out (the species swims underwater to find food)
This little Robbin was super tame, and he sat patiently on his perch as I moved closer and closer to him, I think in this shot I was literally within arms reach of him
A lot of the black and white images I have created in the past are usually colour images, which I've then chosen to edit as a monochome image, almost as an afterthought.
As a much needed change of pace, these were all shot in black and white, and it was an interesting exercise in itself, to see what worked and what didn't.
There was a lot of trial and error involved... I kept taking what I though were interesting shots, only to discover that when that shot was captured in black and white, it was bland and boring.
Eventually though after playing around and tryin to find different angles, I think I managed to get some images worth sharing... well I hope so at least!
I do think there is a LOT of room for improvement, so I think I'm try this again soon... go out for a stroll with my camera set to 'black and white' and have another play...
What do you think? Which images do you like? Which don't work as well?
If you have any thoughts or opinions on this article then I'd love to see your comments.
And if you really like the content then maybe you would like to upvote or re-hive it.
Check out my website for more of my work.
Oooooo black and white on dull overcast days is super challenging because the light is so flat. Good choice in photo edits, though! The robin is my favorite.
Thank you! And yes, the light was definitely against me that day! I will try again on other days... I do need more practice as well, shooting in black and white needs a different way of looking at the subject
I do like the Robin, though I suspect the colour version is better in this respect lol
And look at what else I saw! Shame I had the wrong lens on etc!
Eurasian Jay!!!!!!!
Yep yep!
I think this is the 6th time I've seen them this year... not normally this lucky haha!
Ugh. Braggart.
lol
Congratulations. Today's #monomad second place is yours.
Thank You very much for participating and for being part of the Black And White Community!
Whoop! 2nd place, thank you!
get back into it matey.. wasted talent!
not sure I agree, but very kind of you to say nonetheless!
I'm trying to get back into it, but also I don't want to force it... I've to be enjoying it otherwise, it isn't worth doing.
The B&W stuff is something a little different, and its nice to try something new for a change, we'll see what happens!
I get you with not forcing it... im the same at the minute, kinda lost the urge to shoot... and the weather is t helping
yep... weather is crap, dark mornings and dark evenings don't help either!
It helps to find something else to focus your energy on, something else you enjoy. Running has been a big help to me in that respect, and I know you've thrown yourself into the Andy's Man Club recently, and I'm pleased to see you're reaping the benefits of that.
...and when the photography spark returns, then the camera will be ready and waiting :-)
Aye. Im enjoying that... its useful for both me and others.
Was supposed to have been opening a new group in rotherham but its fetting the venues thats hard.. thats fallen through but we're still looking
Great and very diverse photographic work @dannewton friend. I like a lot how you manage the contrast and lights levels here.
!VSC
@jlinaresp thank you :-) it was hard work to get some interesting shots, but I had some success in the end... definitely out of practice though!
When the pictures are converted to black and white, their beauty is enhanced. Your entry is very special. We pray that you win this competition.
These are really amazing shots. The black and white background makes the picture more beautiful
These are really amazing shots. Black and white background never disappoint ☺️. They are looking stunning
Nice pics
Black and white background never disappoint. Always stunning
Your entry is really nice
Black and white pictures are the most beautiful
These ones are so lovely
https://reddit.com/r/blogs/comments/191l9on/monomad_a_trip_to_whisby_photo_blackandwhite_hive/
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Best of luck